So, playing DA2 now...
It's really more like Dragon Age Origins: Gaiden than a continuation of the original story. Apparently that will have to wait for the sequel
Turns out you were wrong! Ah... balls.
Then again, I'm still traipsing around chapter 1. I think I'm worrying way too much about accumulating paragon and renegade points for my favorite peeps.
I kind of like the more action-y combat, but at the same time the whole thing feels unreal. As a two-hander I very seldom feel like my swings have weight or that my enemies have substance. I kind of liked the human-sized combatant fighting and outside of the "DARK EPIC FANTZEE" deathblows, I felt like shit had weight and the enemies I fought were worthy opponents. I thought it was kind of cool when a warrior parried my arcane warrior's attacks. But functionally this is window-dressing nitpicking.
Speaking of nitpicking, when did the elves become na'vi? When did darkspawn turn into really fucking pale folks and not horribly twisted facsimiles of healthy sentients? I haven't encountered any Qunari, but I have a feeling I'll be annoyed at how they have horns too.